While There is Life by Rowan
demeter d · 20 March 2007 · Chapter 1: While There is Life
Greetings, Rowan. i just read "The Return' and followed the link here to you. i enjoyed the original 'Gift", and I very much like this, too. this sounds exactly like Gandalf! I feel right "in his head'. the little images of the others are right on character, too. i will be reading more of your work.
Author's reply
Thanks, and sorry it took so long to reply! I hope you enjoy the other stories as well.
Elemmírë · 27 October 2006 · Chapter 1: While There is Life
A very heartfelt piece from Gandalf's POV, Rowan. I enjoyed this very much. Will you perhaps continue it in some fashion?
Author's reply
Thank you! Actually, I have no plans to continue it. Of course, you never know. But unfortunately my muse tends to be rather short-winded: when she's said what she wants to say, she shuts up.
Inkling · 26 October 2006 · Chapter 1: While There is Life
I liked this a lot! The description of the Loudwater was very poetic, without straying over the line of being unbelievably so for Gandalf’s interior monologue—and with a nice reminder of his Maian origins thrown in. And I have to confess that I can relate to Merry’s feelings here, good excuses or not. Between them, Bilbo and Gandalf really left Frodo holding the bag…er, Ring.
Author's reply
Indeed. Neither one did so maliciously, of course, but still, I thought it would make some sense that at least one of the other hobbits would harbor some amount of anger on Frodo's behalf.
Larner · 26 October 2006 · Chapter 1: While There is Life
Now, if only he could have followed through on that promise. However, he had definitely the best of excuses for the second failure to assist Frodo. I'm only glad he didn't fail the third and fourth times.
Daynawayna · 26 October 2006 · Chapter 1: While There is Life
Wonderful story... I never get to hear Gandalf's side of things so this was a refreshing scene, sad though it was. It "humanizes" him, which is really different yet comforting. I wish I had a Gandalf in my life. :)
Author's reply
You and me both! Thanks for commenting.
shirebound · 26 October 2006 · Chapter 1: While There is Life
How wonderful, Rowan. This is a very powerful and thoughtful piece. But I particularly love this part: "Beggin' your pardon, Mister Gandalf, but I can rest just as well on this here bed with my master as anywhere else, as fine a place as this is. I ain't leavin' 'til Lord Elrond himself comes and throws me out, or 'til my master wakes, whichever comes first, if it's all the same to you, sir." I chose well, it seems.
Dreamflower · 26 October 2006 · Chapter 1: While There is Life
Oh so powerful! It is just the sort of thoughts I can imagine Gandalf having at this point in time, and just the sort of reactions that the hobbits would have had as well. I love seeing fics in Gandalf's POV. JRRT was so stingy with it, that we only get inside his head once: just before Frodo wakes up, only just a little later in this very time-frame. Very well done!
Author's reply
I've always imagined that Gandalf, having done what he does for so long, would surely have a lot of regrets: for plans that didn't go quite right, and for people who were hurt along the way. All for the greater good, perhaps, but still it must be quite a burden.